December 30, 2016

Information on Charleston Park

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—In 2015, immediately after learning of the concerns of residents, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County provided free testing to the owners of private wells in the Charleston Park neighborhood and informed them of elevated levels of coliform that were found in some wells. The department conducted outreach and educated homeowners on how to sanitize their wells in order to ensure their drinking water was safe.

Although we conducted this outreach, we understand that a written notice could provide clearer communication, which is why we will be implementing a written notice process for all future well testing reports in addition to our in person outreach and education efforts.

It is important to note that while DOH is pleased to provide well testing when requested, private well owners, such as those in Charleston Park, are responsible for the maintenance and sanitation of their own wells.

This fall, having learned that many homeowners had not conducted their well sanitation, DOH-Lee stepped in to help. We reached out to private companies who provide well sanitation services and were able to partner with Crystal Clear Water, which provided this service to these private well owners free of charge.

It is important to note that E.coli was not the contaminant of concern, but rather coliform.

If you receive your drinking water from a private well, it is important to know how to test and maintain it. For more information on how you can ensure your water is well click here. 

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

August 2015 –

• DOH-Lee hears concerns from homeowners in Charleston Park about their drinking water.
• DOH-Lee provides free testing to the private well owners in the neighborhood.
• DOH-Lee informs private well owners of elevated levels of coliform in some wells and provides information on how to sanitize and maintain their wells.

August 2016 –

• DOH-Lee follows up on previous test results and learns many homeowners had not conducted their well sanitation.

September 2016 –

• DOH-Lee begins outreach to private companies who provide well sanitation services to help these well owners.

December 2016 –

• DOH-Lee partners with Crystal Clear Water, which provided this service to these private well owners free of charge.
• DOH-Lee implements new process to provide written notice of well results.

January 2017 –

• DOH-Lee will retest Charleston Park wells and provide written results to homeowners.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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